Growing and Sowing Cucamelon

Cucamelon (Melothria scabra), also known as mouse melon or Mexican sour cucumber, is a climbing plant native to Central America. The plant produces many small, green fruits that look like watermelon, but the taste is more like that of cucumber with lemon. It is an easy plant to grow, which is why this fruit is increasingly grown in vegetable gardens and allotments.

Growing your own cucamelon from seeds

Cucamelon belongs to the cucumber family (Cucurbitaceae). It is a perennial, not hardy, climbing plant that produces many small, watermelon-like fruits. The fruits can be harvested when they are about 2 to 3 cm in size. Larger is also possible, but then they already contain a lot of seeds. Cucamelon is easy to grow and can be grown both in open ground and in a greenhouse.

Sowing and planting cucamelon

Cucamelon is best pre-sown indoors in mid-March. Directly in the garden is possible, but since the plant likes warmth, pre-sowing is preferred. This gives the plant a good head start and an earlier harvest (and longer). Sow in pots with sowing or potting soil, preferable mixed with vermiculite. Cucamelon germinates quickly, after 2 weeks the first plants will appear.

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Position and soil

After ice saints, the plants can be planted out in the garden or greenhouse. Let them harden off first, by regularly putting them outside during the day. Give the cucamelon a sunny, sheltered spot in the garden. The soil must be nutrient-rich, moisture-retaining and well-drained. To achieve this, the soil can be prepared in winter by adding compost to it.

How to care of your cucamelon plants

Provide good climbing aid, for example along a rack. The plant can grow rapidly. Provide plenty of water in summer. If necessary, fertilizer can be given occasionally. Choose one with relatively little nitrogen, this prevents the plant from producing more leaves and fewer fruits.

When and how to harvest cucamelon?

Usually it can be harvested from July to October, depending on the weather. Harvest when the fruits are about 2 to 3 cm in diameter. Larger fruits are edible, but contain more seeds, are harder and taste slightly less. Moreover, regular harvesting promotes the production of new fruits.

How to preserve cucamelon

Freshly picked cucamelons are the best. Crunchy, with a fresh-sour cucumber taste. They will keep for about a week. Store them in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator. This does reduce the taste a bit, so eat them fresh as much as possible. Cucamelons can also be pickled sweet and sour. The same recipe as pickles can be used for this.

Is cucamelon healthy?

Cucamelons are healthy and contain many vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. In addition, they are low in calories.

Cucamelon seeds in our collection

In our assortment we have one type of cucamelon from the brand 'Buzzy Seeds'.

Tips to grow cucamelon

Cucamelon needs a lot of warmth. To promote warmth, a bed about 40 cm deep and 60 cm wide can be dug. Partially fill this with damp straw or fresh manure. Then cover again with soil. This creates a kind of hot bed. Regular harvesting promotes the production of new fruits.

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